Business Opening Consultation in Halifax
Opening a business in Canada comes with specific requirements, paperwork, and strategic decisions that can shape your success. We help entrepreneurs in Halifax and across Nova Scotia navigate incorporation, regulatory compliance, and financial setup with clarity and confidence.
What We Actually Do
Our work focuses on the practical side of starting a business. From choosing the right structure to setting up your accounting systems, we walk through each step with you.
Initial Business Setup Guidance
Most people starting a business don't realize how many small decisions matter in the beginning. Should you incorporate federally or provincially? What tax structure makes sense for your industry? How do you set up bookkeeping that won't cause headaches later?
We've worked with retail shops, tech startups, consulting firms, and contractors. Each business type has different needs, and we tailor our approach based on what you're actually building.
- Federal and provincial incorporation filing with Registry of Joint Stock Companies
- HST registration and CRA business number application support
- Business banking setup coordination with major Canadian banks
- Accounting software selection and configuration for Canadian tax requirements
- Ongoing compliance calendar and reporting deadline management
Typical Consultation Journey
Discovery Call
We discuss your business model, revenue projections, and any specific concerns about compliance or financial structure. Usually takes about an hour.
Structure Planning
Based on your situation, we recommend incorporation type, tax elections, and initial financial setup. You get a written plan outlining the reasoning behind each choice.
Registration Process
We handle filings with provincial and federal authorities, coordinate banking introductions, and set up your accounting infrastructure. Timeline varies but typically two to four weeks.
Operational Support
Once you're officially open, we provide quarterly check-ins on compliance, answer tax questions as they come up, and adjust your financial systems as your business grows.
Industries We Work With Regularly
Our client base spans different sectors, but we've developed particular expertise in areas where financial planning and compliance requirements get complicated early on.
Professional Services
Consultants, architects, engineers, and other professionals often benefit from specific tax structures. We help with GST/HST decisions and expense categorization that matters in service businesses.
Retail and E-commerce
Inventory accounting, sales tax across provinces, and payment processing integration require careful setup. We work through these logistics so your financial tracking stays accurate from day one.
Technology Startups
Software companies and tech ventures face unique considerations around R&D credits, equity structures, and investor reporting. We coordinate with legal counsel to align financial setup with your growth plans.
Construction and Trades
Contractors deal with project-based accounting, holdbacks, and specific insurance requirements. We help establish systems that track job costs accurately and handle payroll compliance properly.
Food and Hospitality
Restaurants and cafes have complex sales reporting needs and thin margins where every percentage point matters. We focus on cash flow management and tip reporting that meets CRA standards.
Healthcare Practitioners
Doctors, dentists, and therapists opening private practices need billing setup, equipment financing advice, and partnership structures. We've handled these transitions many times.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're planning to open a business in the next few months, let's talk through your situation. We offer a free initial consultation to assess what you'll need and whether our services make sense for your circumstances.
Schedule a Consultation